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To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page There’s nothing worse after a relaxing holiday than the stress of arriving at the airport, bound for Blighty, only to be met with scenes of chaos. Disorderly queues, kids around you screaming, parents rushing back-and-forth wondering whether they’ve secured enough food and drink for the flight home. Many of us know this stress all too well – and we’ve all thought at one point that the airport would be much better organised if we took charge, chanelling the famed no-nonsense easyJet legend Jane Boulton. That’s exactly what one mum did after a sun-soaked holiday in Greece last month. Faye Williams was returning from a family holiday in Corfu last month when she found herself stuck in a crushing crowd of passengers for more than an hour. She helped board eight planes after departure information had been released too early, causing hundreds of passengers to gather at the same gates. Faye Williams took control of the chaos at Corfu airport after being fed up with queues (Picture: Faye Williams/SWNS) The crowd quickly became so dense that those on earlier flights couldn’t get through. Realising the situation, Faye approached a member of staff to ask whether extra assistance was available. When told there wasn’t, she offered to help and explained her idea. The airport worker allowed her to use the tannoy system and Faye quickly and positively guided passengers to make space, opening a clear route to the gate. Faye, who runs an events business in Exeter, Devon, said: ‘I got a bit nervous just before going on the tannoy. ‘But once I started speaking and seeing people responding, it felt great. ‘I asked for everyone’s attention and explained that no further flights would be boarded as the gates had come to a standstill with a gridlocked and crushing crowd. ‘I then asked for team work to release the crush, told everyone to take five steps back, waited for them to do so, then five steps more, then once more.’ Faye was returning home after a family holiday in Corfu (Picture: Faye Williams/SWNS) She added: ‘I was just pleased I could help. I could see there was potential for it becoming a real problem for the airport. ‘I knew I could help, so I wanted to offer and try to prevent the situation getting any worse. Luckily the airport staff members agreed.’ Faye and her family had arrived early for their flight. They soon realised their flight information had been released early and made their way to the departure hall. Faye noticed the crowd becoming increasingly dense until everyone was shoulder to shoulder – with more passengers arriving at the back. She said: ‘We followed the crowd but ended up completely gridlocked and more people were joining. ‘I could feel the pressure growing and growing until the amount of people started crushing.’ At one point, Faye helped a woman who was beginning to faint to get out of the crush. Following the incident, Faye decided to speak to a member of staff and offer assistance. Faye was applauded as she left the departure hall (Picture: Faye Williams/SWNS) She explained her plan and the staff member agreed, granting her access to the tannoy system. Faye then organised the boarding process by calling each flight in turn. Passengers raised their hands when their flight was announced, then walked through a clear channel created in the crowd. Over about an hour and a half, Faye managed to help board eight flights – before boarding her own. She was applauded as she left the departure hall and even received a shout-out from the pilot on board her flight home. Faye said: ‘It was wonderful but also quite embarrassing! ‘People clapped, someone bought me a cup of tea and someone else gave me chocolate buttons.’ ‘In the end, I was just happy I could help get people home safely.’ Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page.
